Riverview Hospital

January 2012

2012-01-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

Shenanigans at the Forensic Institute:
A Coquitlam link to Alberta crime spree?

Martin Chambers & Clayton Duquette, these two characters decided to go and visit Alberta.
Additional information

The program using the Brookside & Leeside buildings is being shut down. Downtown Eastside, next stop?
Riverview pilot for homeless will shut down

November-December 2011

2011-11-30T16:29:00.000-08:00

I saw a message on Twitter that this fellow has been found. The RCMP page about him has been removed. (I wish that the RCMP would just update the pages, to reflect the changes; but they frequently just remove the page; leaving everyone wondering what the outcome was.?) Hopefully a good outcome.
Man from Riverview sought

Valleyview will close down at Riverview
I guess that the kitchen facilities there, continue to provide meals.

Update on placement of provincial public service workers impacted by Riverview Hospital closure.

Missing Patient

2011-11-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

Another missing patient.
Police search for Riverview man
The RCMP page about the missing patient.

Still missing one for many months now.

Request for proposals

2011-11-11T01:51:00.000-08:00

BC Bid has a contract up for bids. They are looking for a contractor to research the historical aspects, reuse of the buildings,etc., Have a look here
Should be interesting what the eventual winner of the bid, comes up with for ideas.

September 2011

2011-09-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

Three patients now missing; it must be contagious

Cao Phan FOUND
Robert Cheng FOUND
Linda Muriel Stephen

Silly season has started ! Municipal elections in November;

PHOTOS: Should this hospital be in Coquitlam? City wants Columbian moved
Move Royal Columbian Hospital to Riverview?

Related to health care:
Community Living B.C. cuts cause pain

Colony Farm Industrialization scheme

TREEFEST 2011 on the Riverview Hospital grounds; everyone is welcome.

TREE TOURS: The Popular Tree Tours which highlight some of the more than 1,900 trees on the site
11am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm - leaving from beside the HEY building

HERITAGE BUILDING WALK: 12:00 Noon

There will be a Heritage walk with Don Luxton, well-known heritage consultant and member of the Vancouver Heritage Society who knows the grounds well. It will include walking to the main heritage buildings, but NOT inside.

CHILDREN'S TREE WALK: 2:30

Children of all ages will enjoy this wonderful walk. - leaving from near the HEY building.

SPEAKERS

"The Healing Power of Trees": Jay Peachy

"Horticulture Therapy": Katie Hughes

ARTS: local artists on site displaying, demonstrating & selling their work.

ENTERTAINMENT

1:30 – 2:30 pm Stringz Aloud Finnie’s Garden Susan Vigneux and Don Kellett, play swing, jazz, traditional music using guitars, mandolin.

2:30 – 4:30 pm Dragana Hajduk Finnie’s Garden

11:00 am –12:30 pm Ernie Higgins, plays a guitar North side of HEY near concession

12:45 – 2:15 pm The Acchords North side of HEY near concession

2:30 – 4:00 pm Sharmaine and Luvena Kwong North side of HEY near concession

BLACKBERRY TEA: 1:30 - 4:30 - Blackberry tea served in Finnie’s Garden

-Back again by popular demand. Tea will be served this year by volunteers from BMN & Maple Creek streamkeepers.

CHILDREN'S CRAFT ACTIVITIES

FOOD CONCESSION

FREE SHUTTLE BUS

This Event is FREE no registration required. Lots of Free Parking!

If you require more information phone 604-927-3583 or email Mary@rhcs.org

Bring the entire family to this free annual celebration of trees on the Riverview Hospital Lands.

Treefest is supported by:

Coquitlam Foundation

Coquitlam Towing & Storage

Meridian RV

Riverview Hospital Historical Society

TD Friends of the Environment

Thrifty Foods

WSI

Treefest is organized in partnership with:

ArtsConnect

BC Mental Health Society

Burke Mountain Naturalists

City of Coquitlam

Shared Services BC

SPARC

Riverview Horticultural Centre Society

The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society, RHCS

"Speaking for the Trees since 1992"

August 2011

2011-08-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

Missing Riverview man sought
Same person but a link to the RCMP, where there is a picture; Missing Riverview patient: Robert Cheng

Still missing Linda Muriel Stephen, last seen April 8, 2011.

Film biz not so scary

Not directly about Riverview; but still about mental health issues:
Family of violent mentally ill man blame his death on Vancouver police

B.C. group homes closing due to funding cuts

Large percentage of mental-health patients restrained, says study

July 2011

2011-07-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Letter to the Editor, of The NOW, newspaper: Hey premier, where do you stand on Riverview?

Banished Saltspring Island man's mental health getting ‘worse’: parent.

One step forward, and two steps back....
Man with mental age of 6 jailed for lack of options

And if you were wondering why there is no money for health care; look no further;
Guilty plea by former deputy minister in eHealth scandal

Shortage of space for patients on Vancouver Island;
Mental-health patients betrayed by VIHA

I see that the "urban explorers" are still wandering around the site.
Riverview Mental Hospital: More From West Lawn

Some photos from Flickr: Riverview: West Lawn
And even more pictures from Flickr: Abandoned: West Lawn

And a page on Atlas Obscura, about Riverview, (Although the facts are somewhat wrong in the article.)

June 2011

2011-06-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

Some food (pills?) for thought; Are psychoactive drugs fueling an epidemic of mental illness?

Improve community services to keep mentally ill out of hospitals, report says

Part 1: The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why?
Part 2: The Illusions of Psychiatry
parts of a series by, Marcia Angell

June 2011

2011-06-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the disturbing theme of missing residents of Riverview.
Kelly Pickwell has been reported as missing.
Still missing from last month is Linda Stephen
Hopeful that they are both found safe and sound.

May 2011

2011-05-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from the Heritage walk. Download a copy of the Heritage Walk guide, here (pdf)

April 2011

2011-04-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

We have a trend occurring here; another missing patient.
Here is the RCMP initial report, and the latest with a picture

Linda Stephen 58-years, 5' 4" 108 lbs, last seen wearing a green fleece jacket

There has been more than normal disappearances at Riverview the past few months, and the staff are being especially quiet about the potential reasons behind them.

The Hillside unit was shut down a few weeks ago now. It has been totally cleaned out; it hopefully awaits a new use, since it is in good shape. Finished in 1966, it was designed for patients who were being integrated back into the community.

Learn about Riverview Hospital heritage at May 1 walk. I will be one of the leaders in this walk.

You can download a copy of the Heritage Walk booklet here (pdf)

March 2011

2011-03-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

This year appears to be having many missing residents of the hospital being reported.
Police seeking Riverview patient
And another article from The NOW, which has a better picture
Cao Phan is a Forensic Psychiatric Services patient, be careful!

UPDATE! Cao Phan, has been located, according to the RCMP website.

Vancouver Archives has a Flickr page, devoted to W.J. Moore's panoramic photos.
They have put a large format one of West Lawn in there. Stunning!

I have transcribed the First annual report of the Botanical Office of the Province of British Columbia.

By John Davidson,aka "Botany John". Published in 1914, it now lives forever in the Internet Archives.

The botanical garden is a 100 years old next year, it was first at Essondale from 1912-1916, when it was moved to Point Grey, todays UBC Botanical garden

February 2011

2011-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

From "The NOW" newspaper; Missing woman found dead
Patricia Donna Reed, a long-time resident was missing for five days, until found on the property.
Pat, to those who knew her, my thoughts go out to the family, residents, staff and all who knew her at this time.

Police seek help to find missing Riverview man
Long-time resident Kurt Roloff, missing.
According to the Coquitlam RCMP website; Kurt has been located, with no further information given.

"Leave them alone, and they will come home, wagging their tails behind them."

Copies of the Riverview Hospital Legacy Book are now available.

Media for October 2010

2010-10-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

Media for October,many from the previous month. I will add more as the month progresses.

No national historic status for Riverview

reply to article : Riverview deserves heritage designation

A 12 ½ minutes film entitled Bedlam part 2, is being shown at the David Lam campus of Douglas College on Monday, 25th at 5:30pm. It shows old footage of the hospital before medication was widely used, hence the title of Bedlam.
Anna Tremere, founder of the Riverview Hosp. Historical Soc., and who also runs the museum, will be there, along with a nurse who was there at the age of 16 in 1945, and again from 1973 - 1988.
Documentary portrays life at Essondale ( article in the Now newspaper about Bedlam )
Douglas doc on Riverview premieres Monday ( article from the Tri-City News about Bedlam )

A packed house, and very well received premiere showing, including an extensive display of artifacts, photographs from the Riverview Museum. Great short almost 13 minute documentary of some of the situations a former nurse found herself in.

Letters: Preserve all of Riverview grounds as gift to British Columbians

Mr. Premier, act now to preserve Riverview

A letter from a family member of a patient; Fine facility

Mental Health Act gives doctors too much power

Bulletin to all BCGEU members at Riverview Hospital

The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society, now has a Facebook page

Treefest and news for September

2010-09-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

The focus of this years Treefest is the history. Be there, or be normal!
A few newspaper articles;

Treefest features Riverview's trees and history

Treefest artist shares food and friendship in her home

GREEN SCENE: Celebrate trees and Riverview's amazing history

What’s the hold-up?, Riverview backers ask.

( Riverview Horticultural Centre Society, RHCS; Wondering why the Province has not agreed to a historic designation, for the Riverview site.)

A letter to the Province editor, from a resident of Riverview, nice to hear their thoughts.

And a reply letter, from a member of the public.

The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,(RHCS) now has a Facebook page. Please Join, pleeeaaassse.

Families say budget cuts are forcing closures of group homes for disabled.

July 2010 news

2010-07-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

From the Tyee: Protect Us from Assaults, Say Psyche Nurses
BC mental health workers and their unions pressing for new safety measures.

Vancouver Youville Residence seniors worry about incoming Riverview Hospital patients

And from the Cowichan District: Cowichan Lodge’s future decided, but questions remain

But wait there is more: Shuffling around elderly and mentally ill causes confusion

Probably more situations like these in the coming months.....

Note sent to staff

2010-06-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

From the; BC Mental Health and Addiction Services

Riverview Hospital Redevelopment Project Update

June 28, 2010 - To all RVH Staff & Physicians

What’s new since the last update:

A Riverview Closure Steering committee is now in place to oversee the transfer and closure activities over the next 24 months, including the human resources plan and supports.
A physician resource planning team is also now in place.
Clinical managers and community transfer coordinators from Riverview have now joined the health authority planning teams to help inform the planning of patient care services at the replacement facilities.
The Community Transfer Team is preparing for the transfer of 30 adult rehab patients from Riverview (Hillside and D2) to Detweiller [sic. Detwiller Pavilion (map) (Red-Book) ] - UBC in January 2011.

Human resources information and supports:

Health authorities are in the process of identifying staff and physician service levels and mix for all the Riverview replacement facilities in the Lower Mainland.
We anticipate that we will have further information on employment opportunities for all locations by September 2010.
Job postings for Detweiller[sic. Detwiller. ] are expected by Sept. 20, 2010.

A Riverview Staff Survey was distributed to the units in June. This information will be very helpful for Human Resources to identify how many staff are interested in re-employment, retirement or other options.
Offerings of career transition services and supports are going forward over the summer. Watch for dates and details on resume writing, interview skills and career planning.

What you can do:

Maintaining quality patient care is always our top priority.
The transfers to the health authorities and closure of Riverview may be stressful for patients, families and staff members—consult with your manager on how best to respond to questions you may be getting from patients, families or other staff members.
Discuss your employment and career planning questions with Human Resources or with your manager.

Watch for updates and direct any questions about the project to the Patient Relations Advisor, Jake Adrian at 604-524-7206.

2010-06-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

After the fire in Pennington Hall, the Tuck Shop was re-located into space used by the apparel shop in the Industrial Services building,(ID). It now seems that there was more to the recent library closing, in the Henry Esson Young building, (HEY) than what it seems.

The library is going to be turned into a Tuck Shop, social centre for the residents, moving from the Industrial Services building,(ID), where it has been since the fire in Pennington Hall, which seems to be totally written off by the powers that be, with no attempt at restoration.

Riverview Hospital Legacy Book; now available. Cypress Lodge, opened

2010-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Riverview Hospital Legacy Book: To purchase a book,or to get more information, contact Joy Day at (604) 524-7172 or E-Mail

The $25 price includes tax and is to recover the cost of printing. This price is for pick-up orders only. Please call or e-mail for information about picking up your book.

Sold Out! but more are being printed.

If you want a book mailed to you, there will be an additional charge of $10 for mailing within BC.

Payment is by personal cheque only. Please make cheques payable to BCMHAS,(BC Mental Health & Addiction Services.)

Cypress Lodge, has been officially opened; from the Tri-City News: New mental health facility opened reads like the official Fraser Health media release.

Fire at Pennington Hall

2010-02-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: Crews fight fire on Riverview Hospital grounds

Riverview blaze called suspicious

Will add more information as it becomes available, this is will be a serious loss to the social community of the site. Since it contains a gym, tuck shop, small cafe, computer access for the residents, generally the social hub of the site.
Update March 6,: At the family meeting that the hospital hosts monthly. They were told that the building is not going to be fixed, it has been totally boarded up, which will just hasten the disintegration, by trapping the moisture. To add insult to injury, staff removed the bronze dedication plaque for the building, in a rather rough way.

March 17: I heard tonight that the library is also being shut down, unknown how they are going to continue to provide this valuable service. The library provides services to the entire medical community of the Province, including the residents. The collection consists of some materials found nowhere else.
March 23: Library shut down end of March, further details; HEY library closes

Forty-four "new" beds at Riverview

2010-02-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Government at work.....

44 MORE BEDS FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL AND ADDICTED

Slightly more information.
February 10: New program doesn’t mean a new future for Riverview

Apparently they moved the remaining residents out of Leeside, about a week ago. And replaced them with these "new" clients. $500,000 to fix them up, ?? gold faucets?

National Historic Site, progress

2009-12-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

Sent on behalf of Coquitlam Councillor Mae Reid
Dear Riverview Advisory Committee members:
Just a quick update to let you know that the City received a letter late last week from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada indicating that they have completed their preliminary review of the City's application which was submitted earlier this year (February/March 2009) as per Council direction to designate Riverview as a National Historic Site. Based on this preliminary review, the application will now move forward to the full Board for its consideration at its Fall 2010 meeting. The Board convenes twice a year to consider submissions. We will keep you posted on any new updates through 2010.
Wishing you all the best for the Holiday season and look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Regards
Rob Innes, Manager Community Planning

News for July 2009

2009-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

Poll, (will not last long) should Riverview be used to house the homeless, Yes or No.
EDITORIAL: Lobby action needed on homelessness
Coquitlam council takes pass on temporary Riverview shelter option
No cash for homeless shelter

Media for June 2009

2009-06-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

Confine worst of mentally ill, says Vancouver's top cop

Media for May 2009

2009-05-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Drugged, deranged and homeless
The long road out of Riverview
Coquitlam going for National Heritage status
Coquitlam wants Riverview Hospital recognized as National Historic Site

Media for April 2009

2009-04-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Coquitlam's Riverview Hospital added to national heritage registry
LETTER—Cabinet help?
Homeless shelters fail to reduce mental health calls
Heritage Canada Listing of the site;
description
Full listing

Media for January 09

2009-01-25T20:11:00.000-08:00

Oppal opens up on judges, police, the Charter THE GOOD

Quote: “The so-called professionals of the ’80s closed Riverview because of new age thinking that sent all those people onto the streets. Now police spend all their time monitoring them,” he said. A provincial initiative to re-open Riverview was shot down by Coquitlam City council. end quote.

Do not know where this last statement came from, very miss-informed.

Media for December

2008-12-22T23:49:00.000-08:00

Tough love for today’s hard cases
Clearly 100 beds isn’t enough. An assessment was done of one of the unused Riverview Hospital buildings, but Coleman said that would have cost too much and taken too long. Negotiations are underway on another property somewhere in the Fraser Valley that can be opened sooner, at less cost.

Where in the Fraser Valley? That’s confidential for now. “If we get a chance to close on it, you’ll know.”

"I wonder if the assessment was of the boiler house? Deepest,darkest Fraser Valley, out of sight out of mind." Ed.

Media for September

2008-09-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

Tri-Cities News article: Riverview gets cities' support

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities
has endorsed Coquitlam's resolution, to retain the lands in public hands.
Here is the released resolution in full:

B116 RETAINING RIVERVIEW LANDS Coquitlam
WHEREAS the Riverview Lands are significant to British Columbia's heritage and history, in that the Lands were set aside over 100 years ago to be a sanctuary and residential treatment facility for the mentally ill and to be the site for a provincial botanical garden;

AND WHEREAS the Riverview Lands are valued throughout the province as the home to British Columbia's primary mental health care facility, as an important heritage site, as a treasured botanical garden/arboretum and as a sanctuary for all;

AND WHEREAS they represent an unique opportunity for economic development, that will benefit all citizens, through undertaking initiatives which are congruent with the original long-term vision for the property - e.g., a campus focussed on research and development concerning physical and mental health and welfare;

AND WHEREAS by working together, there are tremendous opportunities to create a future plan for Riverview that reflects the goals and priorities of local residents, the region, and numerous interest groups from across the province:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urge the provincial government to retain the Riverview Lands in public ownership, that its ongoing use as a mental health facility be respected, that they be managed in a manner that is consistent with the original long-term vision for the property - and not as a site for market housing, and that the heritage buildings, landscapes, and arboretum be protected and preserved for the benefit of all British Columbians.

ENDORSED BY THE LOWER MAINLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: No Recommendation
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM membership has not taken a position on the disposition of the Riverview lands.

UBCM members have endorsed previous resolutions requesting provincial support to fund services and support for individuals with addictions and mental health problems (2007-B153, 2006-B50; 2006-B51; 2005-B49; 2005-B3; 2003-B132; 2000-A3). Many of these resolutions have also acknowledged local government's role as a key partner.

The Committee would note that subsequent to this resolution being endorsed by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, the sponsor revised the wording of this resolution in response to UBCM's request to ensure that resolutions submitted for consideration be of local government concern, province-wide.
---------
Article about the potential closure of Pennington,(Penn) Hall:
Riverview patients’ rec room will close
A very short-sighted decision, if this occurs.
--------

Local newspaper article: Gravestones unearthed in backyard
Here is a bit more information about Alfred.....
Alfred Alexander: patient number; 2244
Died in May 2, 1940, aged 75 years. Alfred lived at Essondale for 31 years;8 months;3 days. Cause of death was; lobar pneumonia and chronic myocarditis.
Gravestones trigger memories

Mission project builds hope for the homeless

Treefest

Media for July

2008-07-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

The old Willingdon site in Burnaby, reopening to deal with addictions, and mental health.

Addiction facility opens in former Burnaby jail
New facility a first of its kind in B.C
Addictions centre opens Monday

June 2008

2008-06-09T00:23:00.000-07:00

New mental health facility a return to institutional care
Homeless problem is too serious to ignore

Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,(RHCS), members receive Coquitlam's group Environmental award for 2008

A report: Regionalised tertiary psychiatric residential facilities (PDF) blah,blah,blah...

Media for May

2008-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

May 28: Keep Riverview as is, say B.C. chamber members

Chamber lobbies for Riverview lands
more bricks in the wall.

UBC Farm, is also under threat. Check out the FaceBook,(ack!) group: Save the UBC Farm
The Friends of the UBC Farm
The "Official" UBC Farm website
Read An article concerning the fate of UBC greenspace

----------
May 9, Globe & Mail
SAFE INJECTION SITE
Canada needs to show it cares about most vulnerable
Insite must stay open

SAM SULLIVAN, Mayor of Vancouver

You have all read about international surveys ranking Vancouver as one of the best places in the world to live, work and visit.

But for every one of those, you will also read about the social challenges of homelessness, drug addiction and mental health facing our city.

Recently, these issues have been raised in the context of the debate around Vancouver's safe-injection site (Insite) - the only one in North America. Some opponents have described Insite as a big party with free drugs. As mayor, I see it more like a palliative care facility.

Despite apparent reservations about the future of Insite, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government deserve credit for significant federal investments in drug treatment, prevention and mental health. Over $30-million will be allocated to Vancouver priorities thanks to these recent announcements.

These initiatives - combined with the B.C. government's leadership on social housing - have led to a renewed sense of hope that collaboration between all levels of government is a reality and a critical part of the solution for Vancouver. We are working hard to ensure new supportive housing investments meet local demand - recognizing that we have more than 3,000 units of social housing on the way for the 1,500 Canadians homeless on Vancouver streets.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada is recognizing the Downtown Eastside as a national issue and charting a new course to help people suffering with the concurrent disorders of mental illness and drug addiction.

Among other things, we are promoting prevention, street outreach teams, innovative treatment options and community partnerships to help women get out of the survival sex trade.

In the fall, beds will start to reopen at the Riverview mental-health facility in Metro Vancouver. Canada's first Community Court will open this summer in the Downtown Eastside. And at the end of next month - Canada's operating permit for Insite expires.

The renewal of Insite is an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to compassion and listening to the "grassroots." The longer Insite remains open, the more our community supports it. In fact, some who were opposed to the site are now for it.

Failure to seize this opportunity will lead to more overdose deaths and infectious disease. A negative decision also has the potential to erode much of the goodwill generated by the recent actions I have described.

As Mayor of Vancouver, I have made it clear that I fully support the continuation of Insite - as much as I endorse the recent federal commitment to address concurrent disorders in Vancouver.

The bottom line is that Insite is part of the solution in Vancouver - not part of the problem. By working together and responding to local priorities we can deliver hope, collaboration and a civil city from the bottom up - not the top down.

We can show the world in 2010 how a civil society can care for some of its most vulnerable and marginalized peoples. It is a challenge I know Canada can live up to.

We won't have a second chance.

-----

The Clinical lab and consult services, consisting of 14 staff, moved last April to Oak House, part of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at Colony Farm. The were previously ensconced in North Lawn which is now totally uninhabited. They will continue to service Riverview Hospital from their new digs...

The Provincial heritage board, has declared Riverview Hospital as a heritage site. The City of Coquitlam, is still continuing to encourage the Federal government to also give the site heritage status. A brick at a time, will build the wall to preserve the site...

Media for April

2008-04-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

From the NOW, April 11, 2008

No surprise Riverview closure was a disaster
Lougheed past Riverview worst section of 'highway'

Media for March

2008-03-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

A report just released: Housing and Support for Adults With Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illnesses in British Columbia PDF in reviewing other articles from the authors, they appear to be highly critical of the downsizing of Riverview...
Other Ministry of Health publications available here

Nice letter to the Tri-City news; Premier needs lessons in history, philosophy

Somewhat related story, from Burnaby. Could Willingdon be sold for development
This property is also Provincially owned, by US.
Northwest transit route chosen by both Coquitlam ( couns. Asmundson, Stewart, MacDonell opposed ) and PoCo ( couns. Moore, Crowe opposed ) councils...Relieves a small amount of the pressure. Port Moody votes today,(Tuesday,March 11) they should fall in line.....Well they voted and it passed (couns. Mike Clay and Shannon Watkins opposed)

The Media for February 2008

2008-02-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

Coquitlam NOW; Coleman denies new Riverview plans
Tri-City News; R'view dev't. fears fanned

Vancouver SUN, Letter; Reserve Riverview solely for two challenges
Article; A new breed of the mentally ill puts B.C. families near chaos

Letter to Editor, replying to these articles: Riverview is a perfect setting for mental health care

Face to Face: The Riverview Hospital grounds -- develop them or save them?

Preserve valuable piece of heritage
Good plans for Riverview lands
Letter to Editor; Riverview expansion jeopardizes fish life Feb 20, 2008
Expansion, not downsizing, of Riverview Hospital Feb 20, 2008 Iain Black MLA

Possibility that Riverview may get some hard-core cases

Mentally ill to get 100 'stabilization' beds on Lower Mainland
B.C. facility will treat those with mental illness and drug addictions
Mental-health advocate needed in Vancouver, says Deal

A long article from the Vancouver Courier;
Sanctuary of hope?

>>>>>> Translink route options have your say! <<<<<<

As part of the consultation process, Coquitlam has developed a newsletter outlining the route options, which will be available at all City facilities by Wednesday, February 20. As well, the newsletter content will be available online at the Coquitlam City website along with links to the TransLink site for additional background information.

Port Moody
Port Moody Feedback

Port Coquitlam residents will have an opportunity to express their reviews on route choices during a public input session March 10.

Rich Colemans visions for Riverview

2008-02-14T00:31:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Sun articles: Riverview revamp grows in scope

Column: Riverview an unsettling trip down memory lane

Further research into the model hospital used....
Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum; Springfield Asylum; Springfield (Mental) Hospital
Location Map
Springfield Hospital Background
Springfield Hospital Regeneration programme

Homer Simpson & R.Coleman would get along well at Springfield.

Proposed Evergreen line articles

2008-02-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

The Now;
Lots of questions on routes:
Town hall to cover Evergreen route:

Tri-City News;
Council has many Evergreen queries:
Riders from R'View?:
Letters; Readers weigh in on Evergreen decision:

New Westminster; Record:
Woodlands Restoration costs go from $1.6 to $36 mil

And for the historians among us, Internet Archive has recently received early BC magazine editions,(1907-1911) downloadable as PDF's and other formats, the site can be a bit slow, I find it runs best late at night.

Page 822 of the November 1912 edition has an article about Coquitlam, and a picture of West Lawn:

Riverview to be included Coquitlams Heritage Register

2008-01-20T21:40:00.000-08:00

Regular Council Meeting Agenda - January 21, 2008
Report of General Manager Planning & Development
- Proposed Inclusion of Riverview in Coquitlam’s Community Heritage Register

Yeah, for all the hard work that Coquitlam council, staff and especially the volunteers put in years of time and effort into making this designation a reality.

Download the PDF document, that outlines why it should be included HERE.
Articles in the local Wednesday, January 23, 2008 newspapers. The NOW
And the, Tri-City News
The debates continue.....

FHA's shady investments

2008-01-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

Some of you may wonder why, the proposed Fraser Health's Cypress Lodge is not already under construction on the Riverview site. This tri-cities news story may shed a little light on the subject.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/13720012.html

Makes you wonder what they were thinking investing in what anybody with any sense at all knew has been a problem area for many years now. This was OUR money! Cypress Lodge, was supposed to break ground in October,2007

To many visitors

2007-12-04T01:27:00.000-08:00

The powers that be at Riverview, recently told the representatives from the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society, that to many people were visiting the Riverview grounds, and that they would have to cut back on their tree tours. The bureaucracy probably should have told that to Rich Coleman and his "Friends", before they proposed to develop the site. Somebody forgot to tell them that WE own the property, not a few bureaucrats. As usual hindering public access to the site, is contrary to the goals of the mental health mantra, to integrate "normal folks" with the "un-normal folks", back to the seventeenth century we go.......

Tobacco war at Riverview

2007-10-30T22:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/3rd_read/gov10-3.htm

"No puffin at the Hospital" The following is an excerpt from the new no smoking regulations that allows the Governor to change the regulations as required.

" (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as contemplated in sections 2.1 to 2.3, and for the purposes of those sections the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) defining a word or phrase;

(b) exempting persons or places, or parts of places, from all or part of those sections, with or without conditions;

(c) prescribing persons, including by class;

(d) prescribing places, including

(i) by class or use, and

(ii) a private place.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), different regulations may be made for different persons, places or things."

So I guess we have to lobby the Lieutenant Governor to tweak it.
----------
My reply to the Hospitals: Smoke-free initiative "Feedback Form"

Issues/Concerns:

What has got lost in this debate is who the staff serve. CLIENTS

As a volunteer, who also has this disgusting habit, I am asked all the time for cigarettes. The volunteers will be placed under great pressure to acquire tobacco for the residents.

I do know that when I personally talk to the doctors and staff many of them acknowledge that tobacco is an adjunct to the medications, therapies that the patients receive. But they will not go on record by writing it down, fearing censure.

Many of the patients realize that tobacco is no good for them, but it does help mitigate some of the side effects of the medications that they receive.

The hospital is THEIR HOME, and as such they should be making the decisions, to sell or not to sell tobacco, or smoking or non-smoking.

A few of the 20 questions posed in the survey violate OUR countries rights and freedoms act.
#5 especially.
#6 If staff members want to buy tobacco for the residents on their own time that is their right.
------------

#9 It is verging on cruel and unusual punishment to totally cut the locked-wards off.

#16 This has been going on for years with native tax-free cigarettes circulating around the site. By enforcing this new smoke-free proposal, we just give the drug dealers, another sideline.

Coffee-free initiative, next? Good luck

What do YOU think we should do with the Riverview lands?

2007-08-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Lets have your ideas, of what should be done with these lands and buildings. Just click on the comments at the bottom of this post. Spill your guts..